TTU Working To Add Two New Fine Arts Programs

Tennessee Tech University is in the process of adding two new bachelor’s of science programs in music and studio arts.

College of Fine Arts Dean Jennifer Shank said the two degrees provide graduates more career options other than performing or creating art.

“The flexibility was probably I would say our main point, because we want students to be able to have the skills they need in the interest they want for the job market,” Shank said. “But, we also wanted to be able to be flexible in our degrees and nimble to adjust to market changes.”

Shank said the process to establish the programs takes about two years. Tech is about half way through that with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission reviewing the degrees.

“Programs are designed from the faculty up,” Shank said. “So those programs that we are proposing come from the faculty. They come through the schools and college. We take it to our colleagues at the university. We get support from them. We go on to the board for support from them. Then, we go to our state governing THEC. Once they have given us feedback and feel like its viable, then we go back and design the curriculum.”

Shank said this is the second time Tech submitted. The first time Tech grouped both programs under one degree with different concentrations. THEC recommended the two be separated to achieve national accreditation.

“Why it is resubmitted is because we did submit it to THEC as a one degree program,” Shank said. “We got their feedback, so we are in that same process again.”

Some career options from these programs include working in the music industry, entertainment law or art galleries, Shank said.